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💴 This Week in Manufacturing

U.S. manufacturing strengthened its expansion in March, reaching its fastest pace since mid-2022 as production and new orders held firm. Beneath the surface, rising input costs—driven by energy shocks, tariffs, and geopolitical instability—are compressing margins. Employment remains in prolonged contraction, even as billions in new investment flow into strategic sectors like semiconductors, AI infrastructure, and defense, reinforcing long-term domestic capacity.

This week’s headlines dive into the ongoing trials and tribulations of American manufacturing from reshoring achievements to potential supply chain snarls, a collaborative lunar success, and more!

Our first podcast, from The Manufacturing Executive, covers the entrance of high-volume metal additive manufacturing and the ramifications therein. The second podcast, from Manufacturing Happy Hour, highlights a warehouse automation project for Sumitomo Drive Technologies.

The Social Video and Fun Fact each showcase the reshoring investments and growth within semiconductor production.

Thanks for joining us!

⚙ Manufacturing Headlines

• Tariffs & Supply Chains: Apple's US Manufacturing Expansion [Manufacturing Digital]

• Whirlpool Expands U.S. Manufacturing with New Ohio Plant [Moody on the Market]

• Starting material sourcing bottlenecks increase US drug shortage risks [Fierce Pharma]

• Supporting manufacturing employment [Economic Policy Institute]

• Artemis II Used America’s Manufacturing Supply Chain [Alliance for American Manufacturing]

MONTHLY REPORT

♨️ US Manufacturing Monthly Insights - March

Building Through Friction: U.S. Manufacturers Increase Output as Rising Costs and Global Conflict Challenge the Path Forward

March 2026 highlights a manufacturing sector that is growing—but under increasing strain. Factory activity expanded at its strongest rate in nearly four years, supported by solid production and sustained new orders.

At the same time, a sharp rise in input costs tied to energy prices, tariffs, and global conflict is putting pressure on margins, while hiring continues to lag. Despite these headwinds, companies are committing billions to new U.S. facilities across AI, semiconductors, defense, and life sciences, signaling continued momentum in the long-term reshoring shift.

Upshot: Of the six largest manufacturing industries, four—transportation equipment, computer and electronic products, machinery, and chemical products—reported increased new orders.

FROM THE FEED

📱Inside Apple’s Multibillion-Dollar Push to Make Chips in the U.S.

🤨Did You Know?

The US semiconductor industry market is expected to almost double in value, to

$140 billion

by 2030; demand for chemicals will rise as much or more.

^{Source: McKinsey}

🎧 Podcasts Worth A Listen